4 Easy Ways to Keep Your Credit Card Information Safe Online

Purchasing habits are no longer confined to the traditional “store” setting. We swipe our card everywhere today — in coffee shops, from our homes or even in our pajamas snuggled up in bed. Here are a few things you need to know to make sure your financial information is safe while making online purchases in public settings and everywhere else:

1 Don’t buy from sketchy brands or websites

If you’ve never heard of the brand or their website looks shady, it’s wise to put your card back in your wallet. Try to stick with brands that you know and trust when it comes to online buying.

2 Be wary of deals that look too good to be true

Internet scammers will try to lure you in with “too good to be true” deals in return for your credit card digits. Don’t fall for it. If the deal seems suspicious, it’s probably a scam.

3 Look at website reviews

Online reviews provide some of the best credibility sources. If the site has scammed someone in the past, there’s a good chance there’s a review out there calling out the scam.

4. Trust the “middleman”

If there’s an option to use a credible third-party payment source, like PayPal, then you’re probably in the clear. If the website prompts you to submit your information to something that looks suspicious, then you’re probably in the danger zone.